Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(47)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

Prince makes AFL Top Prospects Team

Brewers minor-league outfielder Josh Prince was named Monday to the Arizona Fall League 2012 Top Prospects Team, as selected by the league's managers and coaches.

Prince, a converted shortstop, earned the honor by batting .404 in AFL play, the second-highest average in the circuit, which included many of the game's top prospects. He had a .491 on-base percentage and .573 slugging percentage for a robust 1.064 OPS.

The 24-year-old Prince led the circuit with 36 hits, including eight doubles, two triples and a home run, and knocked in 14 runs while batting almost exclusively in the leadoff spot. He was second in the league with 51 total bases and 23 runs scored, and tied for second with 10 stolen bases. Prince had 11 multi-hit games,

The Brewers added Prince to their 40-man roster last week to protect him from being taken by another club in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 6 in Nashville.

About Tom Haudricourt

Tom Haudricourt covers the Brewers and Major League Baseball. He was voted Wisconsin Sports Writer of Year for 2011 and 2012 by National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Stay up to date on the Milwaukee Brewers wherever you are with "Milwaukee Baseball," the Journal Sentinel's mobile site for smartphones. Also available in both the Apple and Google Play app stores. Just search "Journal Sentinel baseball."Read more